Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 0, Real Salt Lake 2

By Eddie Ralph, 09/30/14, 3:00PM PDT

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Sacramento Republic FC falls to MLS side Real Salt Lake 2-0 in friendly match. Republic FC gives up late goal and penalty kick in the loss in their first match since winning the 2014 USL PRO Championship.

Republic FC started the match slow and was pressured hard by the Real Salt Lake offense. In the 15th minute Real Salt Lake had their first good look at a goal when Sebastian Velasquez crossed a ball in front of an open goal to Sebastian Jaime whose shot was partially blocked by defender Emrah Klimenta before being cleared away right in front of the goal by Republic FC defender Mickey Daly.

Jaime would get a chance to redeem himself in the 17th minute again on a ball from Velasquez. After pushing down the left side Velasquez sent a ball toward Jaime and the back post which found a diving Jaime but Jaime was unable to control the ball and sent it just over the bar.

Republic FC seemed to settle in following the two good chances by Real Salt Lake and in the 27th minute saw their first chance at goal when forward Justin Braun sent a cross into the middle that was mishandled by Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez. The ball fell into the middle of the box, but no Republic FC players were around the ball allowing it to be cleared.

Republic FC would get another chance in the 33rd minute when a Max Alvarez corner kick was headed by Braun toward Klimenta. The defender was able to turn with the ball but his shot bounced off Daly who was attempting the clear the area. Daly collected the rebound and sent the ball back to Alvarez who was standing just beyond the edge of the box. Alvarez took the open shot but put the ball just high and wide of the upper left corner of the goal.

Republic FC’s best chance at goal in the first half came in the 35th minute when 2014 USL PRO Defender of the Year Nemanja Vuković sent a through ball to forward Adam Jahn. After making a great turn to get around his defender Jahn sent a ball toward the middle of the box where Alvarez was streaking toward goal. Alvarez took a shot but the ball was blocked from behind. On the ensuing corner Rodrigo Lopez sent a ball toward the back of the box where it found Braun who headed the ball back toward the action. The headed ball found Daly who got the ball to his foot and blasted the ball toward the goal but just over the bar keeping the match scoreless going into the half.

Republic FC again came out slow in the half and in the 56th minute Klimenta was called for a penalty after foulding Robbie Findley in the box. Findley would step up to take the penalty himself and send the ball straight down the middle as Republic FC goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek dove to his right putting Real Salt Lake up 1-0.

Real Salt Lake would continue to pressure the Republic FC defense and in the 63rd minute got a chance to double their lead. Jamie played a ball wide before sending a ball on the ground to a waiting Findley whose shot went just wide right of the post.

Republic FC best chance to equalize came in the 89th minute when substitute Chad Bartlomé played a ball into the box from the left side. Substitute forward Dakota Collins was able to get a head on the cross but was unable to get it by and onrushing Fernandez.

Real Salt Lake would double their lead in the 90th minute after Valesquez got past the defense at the top of the box. Valesquez made a good move then sent a left footed strike into the near side of the goal putting Real Salt Lake up 2-0.

Republic FC would show more pressure following the goal but none good enough to put a shot past Fernandez. The match is first match following Republic FC’s emotional win of the USL PRO Championship Match on Saturday, September 27. Today’s match was also the final match for the 2014 USL PRO Champions as they will head back to Sacramento and begin their offseason in preparation for the 2015 season. Real Salt Lake will continue their playoff push when they face Chivas USA in Carson, CA on Sunday October 5.